Chapter 1045:
âAlright, I believe youâre not the type to do something like this,â Brook finally said, gripping her hand in reassurance.
He was no stranger to his own unfaithful tendencies, and only Nova could accept that.
His confidence in her loyalty stemmed less from trust and more from his ingrained male chauvinism.
To him, Nova was a possession, loyal, predictable, and unlikely to overstep certain boundaries, even if she dabbled in schemes of her own. However, with Kinslee present, Brook couldnât simply dismiss the matter. He felt obligated to address the situation formally.
âHow exactly are you connected to Barton?â he asked.
Novaâs reply was a carefully calculated blend of truth and deception. âI did encounter him outside the Lloyd house,â she admitted smoothly. âWhen I realized he worked atâ¦â
Kinsleeâs nursing home, I stopped to hear him out. But I never imagined heâd go so far as to accuse Ms. Clarke of theft.â
Her words didnât just absolve herself but also subtly framed Bartonâs motives, painting him as the mastermind. âMaybe he assumed that Kinslee, in her condition, wouldnât recall what had happened back then. It seems he saw Ms. Clarkeâs accidental visit to the nursing home as the perfect opportunity to shift the blame onto her.â
Nova turned her gaze toward Barton, her voice laced with feigned sorrow. âI donât understand what I ever did to you. Why would you use me like this?â
Bartonâs eyes widened, caught off guard and rendered momentarily speechless.
Allison stood nearby, her expression unreadable.
Watching the scene unfold, she recognized their strategy. Now that the truth was surfacing, they were starting to turn on each other. But she wasnât fooled. A timid man like Barton would never willingly speak up for her.
To ensure he cracked under pressure, Allison leaned in, her tone sharp and deliberate.
âBarton, stop hesitating and tell the truth. Who ordered you to do this?â Her presence loomed over him as she took measured steps forward. âSomeone like you, whoâs been caught stealing, wouldnât dare walk into the Lloyd house unless you had a death wish.â
Allisonâs commanding aura was overwhelming.
Barton trembled under the weight of her words, seeing a chilling intensity in her eyes. Kellanâs silent, ominous presence only made matters worse. For a fleeting moment, Barton felt as though death itself stared back at him.
Clearly, if he took all the blame himself, he would certainly be tortured to death.
Finally, his voice wavered. âIt was⦠it wasâ¦â
But before he could finish, Nova stepped in, her demeanor a masterful blend of innocence and authority.
With a calm expression, she gestured toward the surveillance footage in the phone Barton clutched.
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